Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art, developed by Morihei Ueshiba between the 1920s and the 1960s. Ueshiba was religiously inspired to develop a martial art with a "spirit of peace." Aikido emphasizes using full body movement to unbalance and disable or dominate an attacking opponent. Aikido has a significant spiritual element; students are taught to center themselves and to strive for absolute unity between the mind and body. 

Aikido techniques can be practiced with or without weapons, in a variety of positions. Aikido training aims to achieve all-around physical fitness, flexibility, and relaxation. Students learn to face attacks directly, and the confidence that they acquire in doing so extends to many aspects of daily life. Harmony in training leads to harmony in Life. 

The name aikido is formed of three Japanese characters, ai (合) (union/harmony); ki (気) ( universal energy/spirit); and do (道) (way). It can be translated as "the way to union with universal energy" or "the way of unified energy." Another common interpretation of the characters is harmony, spirit and way, so aikido can also mean "the way of spiritual harmony" or "the art of peace."

The Aikikai Foundation is an association that was established to support the inheritance of Aikido created by the Founder, to train body and mind through Aikido and to promote Aikido. 

All kyu and dan certificates are registered through the Aikikai World Headquarters (Hombu dojo) in Tokyo and carry worldwide recognition.

To find out more, please visit Winnipeg Aikikai.